Effect of levamisole on biological behavior of red blood cells after fracture

Abstract

Objective To investigate the influence of levamisole (LMS) on the biological behavior of red blood cells (RBC) after fracture, in order to suggest a new strategy for prevention and therapy of traumatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) . Methods Thirty male rabbits were divided randomly into 2 equal groups, control group A and experimental group B. After anesthesia, fractures were created 3 cm below the entotrochanter and then fixed with plates and screws in both groups. Blood samples were harvested from the 2 groups to analyze blood rheological characteristics respectively at 30 min before operation, 30 min, 1, 4 and 7 days after operation. Malondialdehyde (MDA), rigid index, accumulation index and distortion index, C3b receptor rate (RC3bRR), circulating immune complexes rate (RICR) and natural tumor erythrocyte rosette rate (NTERR) of RBCs were measured. Results RBC immunity: The rates of RC3BRR and NTERR in group B were higher than in the control group (group A) (P < 0.05) at 30 min, 1 and 4 days after operation. However, the rate of RICR was higher in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). There were significant dif-ferences between pre- and post-operation in group A, but not in group B. RBC lipid peroxidation: The post-operative MDA values of RBCs at 30 min, 1 and 4 days in both groups were higher than the preoperative one. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in group A, but not in group B. The MDA was lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). Conclusions Trauma can weaken the RBC immune function, increase the lipid perexidation, and worsen the blood rheological property. LMS can obviously improve the biological behavior of RBC, suggesting it may be useful in prevention and therapy of DVT after fracture. Key words: Immunologic factors; Erythrocyte; Venous thrombosis (DVT); Wounds and traumas; Fracture